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Former Dundee United forward Robbie Muirhead joins Hearts

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Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson outlines his transfer plans for this summer after signing Robbie Muirhead on a free transfer.

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has completed his first summer signing after landing former Dundee United and Kilmarnock forward Robbie Muirhead on a free transfer.

The Tynecastle boss will hope to breathe fresh life into the Scotland U19 playmaker's career which was in danger of stalling during his United stint.

Muirhead has signed a 12-month deal and could get his first taste of action for Hearts when they kick-off their Europa League campaign on June 30.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Neilson said: "I am pleased to get Robbie in. He's young, energetic and Scottish. He can develop in the future and I think he is a great one for us.

"He did really well at Kilmarnock and got a move to Dundee United but the circumstances at the club didn't work out for him.

Hearts striker Robbie Muirhead
Image: Robbie Muirhead has agreed a 12-month contract at Tynecastle

"He went on loan but didn't get a lot of game time and by the time he came back to Dundee United they were in a relegation dog fight which again limited game time.

"So when the opportunity came up to get someone like that on a free it was a no brainer to bring him in. he is the type of player we want to get here." 

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The 20-year-old burst onto the scene in 2013 after graduating through the Rugby Park youth ranks.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson
Image: Neilson sees plenty of scope for improvement with Muirhead

His performances for Killie saw him linked with a move to Celtic but he eventually moved to Tannadice in January last year in a £150,000 deal. He started just seven games for United before then boss Mixu Paatelainen sent him to Partick Thistle for a three-month loan stint.

He returned in January but did not feature again for the relegated United before his contract was torn up.

Neilson added: "He's got good potential. People forget he is still young. There is still a lot of development in him.

Connor Sammon Kilmarnock 2011
Image: Connor Sammon is poised to join Hearts this month

"I watched him at Kilmarnock and knew he was a very good player. I looked at him and thought we would maybe try to do something then but Dundee United came in and bought him for a big fee."

Muirhead's arrival could be the precursor for two more news faces in Gorgie, with deals for Conor Sammon and Belgian defender Faycal Rherras believed to be in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Hearts have announced forward Gavin Reilly has joined Championship outfit Dunfermline on a one-year loan.